High Voltage Energy Harvesting and Conversion Renewable Energy Utility Size Electric Power Systems and Visual Monitoring and Control Systems for Said Systems

ABSTRACT

A renewable energy, utility size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, command and control environment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/389,816, filed Oct. 5, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/485,384, filed May 12, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to renewable energy, utilitysize electric power systems and, in particular, to high voltage energyharvesting and conversion renewable energy collection and conversionsystems, and to visual monitoring and control systems for such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “renewable energy electric power systems” as used herein refersto utility size electric power systems that utilize a large number ofinterconnected photovoltaic modules to form a solar farm or power plant,or a large number of interconnected wind turbine generators that form awind farm or power plant.

Utility size (ranging from 5 to 100 megawatt (MW_(e)) output capacity)solar photovoltaic power systems comprise a large number of solarphotovoltaic power collectors, such as solar photovoltaic modules, thatsupply DC electric power to collocated DC to AC inverters that convertthe DC power into AC electric power.

A utility size wind power system comprises a large number ofelectrically interconnected wind turbine generators. A wind turbinedriven generator assembly can be a wind turbine with its output shaftsuitably coupled to an electric generator. Various types of generatorsystems can be coupled to a wind turbine. One such system is known as aType 4 industry designated wind turbine generator power system where thegenerator is a synchronous permanent magnet generator having a variablefrequency, variable voltage output that is supplied to a rectifier withthe rectified output DC link supplied to a DC to AC inverter. Theinverter output current is then transformed through a line transformerthat transforms the inverter output voltage level to the grid voltagelevel.

For either a solar or wind renewable energy, utility size power system,the power system components are spread out over significantly more landthan a conventional residential or commercial size power plant thusmaking physical visualization and control of the power system achallenge beyond that of the typical one line centralized control boardsused for conventional size power plants.

It is one object of the present invention to provide monitoring andcontrol systems for a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting networkin combination with a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulatedcurrent source inverter system wherein the renewable energy harvestingis distributively power optimized within the harvesting network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide high voltageenergy harvesting in combination with a centralized grid synchronizedmultiphase regulated current source inverter system, and a visualmonitoring and control system for a utility scale renewable energysystem.

It is another object of the present invention to provide powercollection, conversion, monitoring and control systems for renewableenergy, utility sized power systems that can include a threedimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display environment forcentralized input and output control and monitoring of the power systemsby the systems' operators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention is a renewable energy, utility sizeelectric power system. The system has a high voltage, renewable energyharvesting network and a centralized grid synchronized multiphaseregulated current source inverter system. The high voltage, renewableenergy harvesting network has multiple strings of renewable energycollectors, with each of the strings having a DC output, and multiplerenewable energy power optimizers distributed throughout the harvestingnetwork. Each renewable energy power optimizer has at least one energycollector string power optimizer input connected to the DC output of atleast one of the multiple strings of renewable energy collectors. Eachof the multiple renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters has ahigh voltage DC output connected to a DC link. The centralized gridsynchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system isconnected to the DC link and has a plurality of grid inverter packagemodules that can be connected to a high voltage electrical grid.

In another aspect the present invention is a renewable energy, utilitysize electric power system. The system has a high voltage, renewableenergy harvesting network; a centralized grid synchronized multiphaseregulated current source inverter system; and a virtual immersionmonitoring system and central control system for monitoring andcontrolling the high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network andthe centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system. The high voltage, renewable energy harvesting networkhas a plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors, with each ofthe strings having a DC output, and a plurality of renewable energypower optimizers and transmitters. Each of the plurality of renewableenergy power optimizers and transmitters has at least one string poweroptimizer input connected to the DC output of at least one of theplurality of strings of renewable energy collectors. Each of theplurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters has ahigh voltage DC output connected to a DC link. The grid synchronizedmultiphase regulated current source inverter system is connected to theDC link and has a plurality of grid inverter package modules.

In another aspect the present invention is a method of harvesting,converting, monitoring and controlling renewable energy from a utilityscale renewable energy system. The renewable energy system includes ahigh voltage, renewable energy harvesting network. The harvestingnetwork includes a plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors,with each of the plurality of renewable energy collectors having a DCoutput. The harvesting network also includes a plurality of renewableenergy power optimizers and transmitters. Each of the plurality ofrenewable energy power optimizers and transmitters has at least onestring power optimizer input connected to the DC output of at least oneof the plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors. Each of theplurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters has ahigh voltage DC output connected to a DC link. The renewable energysystem also includes a centralized grid synchronized multiphaseregulated current source inverter system that is connected to the DClink and has a plurality of grid inverter package modules. In thepresent invention, virtual immersion monitoring of the high voltage,renewable energy harvesting network is performed in a three dimensional,visually-oriented, virtual reality display environment, and the highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network and the centralized gridsynchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system iscentrally controlled in communication with the three dimensionalvisually-oriented virtual reality display environment.

The above and other aspects of the invention are further set forth inthis specification and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a simplified one-line block diagram of one example of arenewable energy, utility size electric power system for the collectionand conversion of solar energy, and a monitoring and control system ofthe present invention for the power system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of one example of a solar power optimizer andtransmitter utilized in some examples of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of one example of a resonant DC-to-DC converter thatcan be utilized in the solar power optimizer and transmitter shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates the wave shape of the inverter current near resonanceof the resonant DC-to-DC converter shown in FIG. 3 when the photovoltaicstring voltage connected to the input of the DC-to-DC converter is low.

FIG. 5 illustrates the wave shape of the inverter current off-resonanceof the resonant DC-to-DC converter shown in FIG. 3 when the photovoltaicstring voltage connected to the input of the DC-DC converter is high.

FIG. 6 is one example of the interconnections between a solar farm'ssolar photovoltaic modules and the solar power optimizers andtransmitters utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a simplified black and white rendition of one threedimensional visual display frame in the three dimensional,visually-oriented, virtual reality display environment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a simplified one-line block diagram of one example of arenewable energy, utility-size electric power system for the collectionand conversion of wind energy, and a monitoring and control system ofthe present invention for the power system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified one-line block diagram of one example of arenewable energy, utility-size electric power system for the collectionand conversion of solar energy, and a monitoring and control system ofthe present invention for the power system. In this example, there is ahigh voltage, solar photovoltaic energy collection (also referred to as“harvesting”) network 12; a centralized grid synchronized multiphaseregulated current source inverter system 14; and an optional virtualimmersion monitoring and control system 16. Step-up transformer 18electrically isolates the outputs of the inverters in the grid inverterpackage (GrIP) modules 14 a-14 d from the high voltage electrical grid.

The optional high voltage, solar photovoltaic energy harvesting networkand the centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated currentsource inverter system are further described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/542,891 (published as Publication No. 2009/0302686), whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The virtual immersion monitoring and control system comprises thevirtual immersion equipment watchdog (VIEW) module 16 a and the centralcontrol module 16 b.

One example of a solar power optimizer and transmitter (SPOT) utilizedin some examples of high voltage, solar photovoltaic energy collectionnetwork 12 in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. SPOT 20 in FIG. 2 comprises aplurality of DC-to-DC converters 20 a (four in this example); processor20 b (represented as a microprocessor (μP) in this example); andtransceiver 20 c (represented as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver inthis example with transmitting and receiving antenna 20 c′).

The four DC-to-DC converters in FIG. 2 convert variable photovoltaic“string” voltages and currents into parallel fixed high voltages (forexample 1,250 volts DC). In this example positive (+) outputs of two ofthe converters are connected together in parallel and negative outputs(−) of the other two converters are connected together in parallel asshown in FIG. 2 to form a common (neutral) circuit. The remaining fouroutputs of the four converters are connected commonly together as shownin FIG. 2. The converters' paralleled positive and negative outputs areconnected (clamped) in series to a DC link (identified as DC link bus 22in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) at a high DC voltage (for example, 2.5 kV DC) thatis double the output voltage (for example, 1.25 kV DC) of each DC-to-DCconverter. Reference is made back to one-line diagram FIG. 1 where aplurality of solar power optimizers and transmitters (as shown in FIG.2) may be connected to a plurality of solar photovoltaic modules 30.

FIG. 3 is one schematic example of a DC-to-DC converter that can beutilized in the solar power optimizer and transmitter 20 shown in FIG.2. Each DC-to-DC converter consists of two sections: a series resonantfull bridge inverter 20 a′ and a combination output filter and rectifiersection 20 a″. These are isolated from one another via a high frequency(in the range of 10 kHz to 20 kHz) transformer Tx. Power drawn from theinput photovoltaic string source at terminals 1 and 2 varies with theoperating frequency of the inverter. The input current (Idc) and voltage(E) are measured by processor 20 b in FIG. 2 which processor adjusts theoperating frequency of the inverter so that the DC-to-DC converteroperates at the maximum power point value. The operating frequency ofthe converter's input inverter is varied near resonance, which isdefined by the values of inductor Ltank and capacitor Ctank in FIG. 3forming a series resonance loop. As the frequency approaches theresonance point, the inverter draws more current from the inputphotovoltaic string causing the photovoltaic string voltage to drop. Asfurther described below, one of the functions of processor 20 b is tomaintain the mathematical product of the photovoltaic string voltage andcurrent at the maximum power point value. FIG. 4 illustrates theinverter output current near resonance when the input photovoltaicstring voltage can be low and FIG. 5 illustrates the inverter currentoff-resonance when the photovoltaic string voltage can be high.

Processor 20 b may be a microprocessor in communication with I/O devicesthat sense the string voltage and current at the input to each DC-to-DCconverter 20 a. The processor monitors the string voltage and current atthe input of each converter, and controls operation of each converter toharvest maximum power from each solar photovoltaic module string byexecuting computer code for a maximum power point tracking (MPPT)algorithm. For example, the algorithm may include “disturb and observe”subroutines by which the operating frequency of the DC-to-DC converteris varied by a small amount and the MPPT algorithm determines whetherthe harvested power increased or decreased with the frequencyperturbation.

Transceiver 20 c transmits power system data to the virtual immersionmonitoring and control system if used in a particular example of theinvention. The power system data can include: string voltage magnitudes;string current magnitudes; string power magnitudes; SPOT output currentmagnitudes; SPOT operating temperatures; and SPOT operational statusdata, such as whether the SPOT is operating at full maximum input powerfrom all of the input photovoltaic strings, or limited maximum inputpower from at least some of the input photovoltaic strings. Transceiver20 c receives power system data that can include power system limitcommand data and power system ON or OFF status or control. Power systemON or OFF status can be determined, for example, by sensing whether aparticular DC-to-DC converter is in an operational oscillation state(power system ON). Remote power system ON or OFF command (from thecentral control module) can be used to facilitate maintenance of a SPOT.One method of transceiver 20 c transmitting and receiving is via a meshradio system.

In an example of the invention utilizing the solar power optimizer andtransmitter shown in FIG. 2, each photovoltaic string 31 can comprisebetween twenty and twenty-five photovoltaic modules. Output of eachstring is typically between one and ten amperes DC (at 400 to 1,000volts DC) depending on the solar energy system parameters such as solarirradiation, shading or environmental deterioration. A cluster of foursolar photovoltaic module strings can be connected to a single SPOT asshown in FIG. 2 to produce approximately between 200 to 6,250 “watts perinput string” for a maximum of approximately 25,000 watts for each SPOTwith a four string input.

One example of interconnecting a renewable energy utility-size electricpower system utilizing solar power optimizers and transmitters of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. A maximum number of solarpower optimizers and transmitters, for example twenty, can share eachSPOT “horizontal” bus 21 a, 21 b, 21 c . . . 21 x, shown in FIG. 6. Forexample SPOT horizontal bus 21 a has twenty solar power optimizers andtransmitters 21 a ₁ through 21 a ₂₀ connected to the bus. Theseinterconnected twenty solar power optimizers and transmitters, and thephotovoltaic modules connected to these twenty solar power optimizersand transmitters comprise photovoltaic energy harvesting array 21 thatrepresents one section of the high voltage, photovoltaic energycollection network 12 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 and canproduce a maximum of 500 kW from solar radiation. Photovoltaic energyharvesting array 21 may comprise four (photovoltaic) strings ofphotovoltaic modules connected to each of the twenty solar poweroptimizers and transmitters in array 21, with each photovoltaic stringconsisting of around 20 to 25 photovoltaic modules connected in series.The combination of the four photovoltaic strings of photovoltaic modulescan be identified as a photovoltaic “cluster” consisting of around 80 to100 modules, so that with 20 solar power optimizers and transmitters inarray 21, a total of 1,600 to 2,000 photovoltaic modules are connectedto SPOT horizontal bus 21 a. Each of the other photovoltaic energyharvesting arrays that include SPOT horizontal buses 21 b . . . 21 x(where “x” is a variable representing the last bus and array comprisingphotovoltaic collection network 23), can also produce a maximum of 500kW from solar radiation; photovoltaic strings connected to the solarpower optimizes and transmitters in these other arrays are not shown inFIG. 6. Each SPOT horizontal bus is respectively connected to a SPOT“vertical” bus (26 a, 26 b, 26 c, . . . 26 x in FIG. 6) to the gridinverter package modules (14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d) in the centralizedgrid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system14. This practical arrangement will limit the size of the conductorsforming each of the SPOT vertical buses to a maximum current capacity of200 amperes DC, based on a maximum of 10 amperes DC supplied by thearray of photovoltaic modules connected to each one of the solar poweroptimizers and transmitters.

Central control module 16 b in FIG. 1 comprises circuitry forcommunicating among the plurality of solar power optimizers andtransmitters, the inverter modules in the centralized grid synchronizedmultiphase regulated current source inverter system, and fortransmitting and receiving power system data such as: collecting datatransmitted from each SPOT; communicating with grid inverter packagemodules 14 a-14 d, preferably by a secure data link 17 (shown in dashedlines in FIG. 1), such as secure Ethernet; communicating with the threedimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display environment ifused in a particular example of the present invention, for example via aVIEW computer system; monitoring the high voltage (HV) electrical gridvoltage injected by the centralized inverter system into the grid; andmonitoring the voltage on the DC link 22 between the harvesting 12 andconversion 14 systems; controlling a set DC input current magnitudedelivered to each grid inverter package module where the set DC inputcurrent magnitude is set to match the supply of electrical currentproduced by harvesting 12 system with the demand by the conversion 14system; and control the phase of the AC current injected into the gridrelative to the phase of the AC grid voltage.

In one example of the invention, energy conversion system 14 comprises aplurality of grid inverter package modules. While four grid inverterpackage modules 14 a-14 d are shown for the system example in FIG. 1 andFIG. 6, typically the total of grid inverter package modules ranges fromthree to forty in other system examples of invention. A grid inverterpackage module contains circuitry for: converting the grid inverterpackage rated power (2,500 kW for the example in FIG. 1) from DC to AC;transmitting (reporting) grid inverter package operating parameters tothe central control module and the three dimensional, visually-orienteddisplay environment (for example, the VIEW computer); and receivingoperating parameters from the central control module, such as the set DCinput current magnitude set point and the grid inverter package's outputphase angle as described in the previous paragraph. The transmittedoperating parameters can include: DC input current to the grid inverterpackage module; AC output phase currents from a grid inverter packagemodule; AC output phase voltages from the grid inverter package module;AC output power from the grid inverter package module; output frequencyfrom the grid inverter package module; temperature of coolant (if used)in a grid inverter package module cooling subsystem; and selected gridinverter package circuit component temperatures.

In one example of the present invention, the virtual immersionmonitoring system is a three dimensional, visually-oriented, virtualreality display environment comprising a VIEW computer system that:collects harvesting system information; presents the collectedharvesting information using three dimensional virtual reality asfurther described below; and forecasts electric power output forinjection into the grid on the basis of available string irradiation fora solar energy renewable power system.

A key element of the virtual immersion monitoring system of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 7, which is a simplified black andwhite illustration of a three dimensional image of a partial display ofa high voltage, solar photovoltaic energy collection network on a VIEWcomputer visual display unit. In this illustration photovoltaic modules30 making up a photovoltaic string are visualized relative to theinstalled dynamic external environment, including for example, dynamicreal time cloud shading of components. Relative location of SPOT 20 isshown, along with conductors 91 from the photovoltaic strings connectedto the inputs of SPOT 20 and the DC link 22 to which the outputs of SPOT20 are connected. Each SPOT can be enclosed in an enclosureapproximately 12×12×6 inches with four connections for photovoltaicstring input at the top of the enclosure as shown in FIG. 7, and threepass through (except for a SPOT at the end of a SPOT horizontal bus)input and output conductors (positive, negative and neutral (common) asillustrated in FIG. 2) either on the sides of the SPOT enclosure, or thebottom of the SPOT enclosure as illustrated in FIG. 7. Each photovoltaiccluster of photovoltaic modules can be mounted on one structuralsupporting rack that can also serve as mounting structure (eitherunderneath or on the side of the rack) for the solar power optimizersand transmitters associated with the photovoltaic cluster. All of thecolor coding elements; cloud visualizations; and other display elementsof the visual immersion monitoring system disclosed below areaccomplished in the three dimensional image of the power system providedon a VIEW computer visual display unit as an element of the threedimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display environment.

For solar power two typical examples of the virtual immersion monitoringand control systems of the present invention are provided. One exampleuses fixed-tilt tracking photovoltaic arrays and the other usesdual-axis tracking photovoltaic arrays as illustrated by pedestal 31 inFIG. 1. An accurate three-dimensional depiction of the solar farm siteis incorporated into the VIEW computer displayed model. The operator'sview of the VIEW computer displayed model can be provided on a suitablecomputer visual output device, such as a video monitor, from a virtualcamera view that is moving unconstrained through three dimensionalspace. The operator has control over movement of the camera throughthree-dimensional space via a suitable computer input device, such as ahandheld controller, joystick or trackball. Movement can be throughoutthe photovoltaic arrays and can be optionally provided in apredetermined three dimensional space track of the individual componentsof the solar farm.

The power output of each individual photovoltaic string in the solarfarm can be visualized on the VIEW computer visual display unit. Each ofphotovoltaic strings can be referenced by the SPOT controlling thestrings with the SPOT communicating performance data of its associatedstrings with the central control module. A morning-through-eveningdaylight transition of the sun over the solar farm can provide varyinginsolation levels for the photovoltaic modules and will affect thedirection in which a dual-axis tracker (if used) will face which isalways perpendicular to insolation. In one example of the virtualimmersion monitoring system of the present, the magnitudes of power,current and voltage values are represented by a suitable range of colorintensities for the images of power system components on the VIEWcomputer visual display unit, such as photovoltaic modules, solar poweroptimizers and transmitters, interconnecting electrical conductors,switching components associated with the grid inverter package modules,with the color intensities being a function of the magnitude of power,current and voltage associated with the power system component.

In one example of the invention, color coding of the nominal output of aphotovoltaic string of modules is accomplished in shades of a continuouscolor spectrum that can range from a bright shade of blue for stringsoperating at full power to darker shades of blue for less than fullpower, and finally, to black for functional strings generating zeropower. The color transition can be linearly related to the nominal poweroutput. Any strings not generating power due to equipment failure can bevisually displayed in red to differentiate them from normal stringsgenerating zero power. Power system electrical conductors can bedisplayed in shades of green to represent the magnitude of currentflowing through them with a bright green representing higher currentlevels and a darker green representing lower current levels. Conductorsexperiencing a malfunction or fault condition can be shown in red.Enclosures for each SPOT can be displayed in shades of yellow, withhigher current levels represented in bright yellow and lower currentlevels represented in darker yellow. SPOT enclosures with a malfunctionor fault condition can be shown in red. Inverter, transformer, gridswitchgear and other components can be visually presented in naturalcolors. An active meter graphic icon can be positioned in a suitableposition of the visual display (for example, in the corner of the visualdisplay) with display of real time total electric power generation insuitable units, such as kilowatts. An operator controllable visualdisplay pointing icon can be used by the operator to visually display inthe meter graphic icon detailed information of the power output andenergy generated by a system component along with a unique identifier,such as a number for the component.

In the virtual immersion monitoring system the image of a cloud can bereconstructed from the shadow it produces on the surface of thephotovoltaic panels. The shadow is detected by variable reduction ofphotovoltaic electric power harvested from a section of the solar farm.

The system can include execution of a prediction algorithm that visuallydisplays the power output of the system at near time in the future (forexample, 10 minutes from present in real time) based on cloud movementparameters (cloud direction and velocity) over the site.

In one example model of the invention, visualization can be achievedwith dedicated visual layers on the VIEW computer visual display unit sothat equipment can be activated (for example, photovoltaic modules madetransparent) and the various stages of the power system can behighlighted by turning selected display layers on or off.

FIG. 8 is a simplified one-line block diagram of one example of arenewable energy, utility-size electric power system for the collectionand conversion of wind energy, and a monitoring and control system ofthe present invention for the power system. The variable frequency ACpower produced by a permanent magnet synchronous generator (SG) 50 isrectified by AC-to-DC converter 51 and then applied to the input of awind power optimizer and transmitter (WPOT) 40. A wind power optimizerand transmitter applies an optimal load to the synchronous generator foroperating the wind turbine at the maximum power point value. Wind poweroptimizer and transmitter 40 is similar to a sun power optimizer andtransmitter as described above, except that it typically, but notexclusively, utilizes a single DC-to-DC converter (as shown, for examplein FIG. 3) instead of four DC-to-DC converters as shown in FIG. 2 for asolar power optimizer and transmitter. The output of one or more windpower optimizers and transducers are connected via a high voltage DClink 42 to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated currentsource inverter system 14 where the system utilizes three or more gridinverter package modules, for example, four such modules 14 a-14 d asshown in FIG. 8.

The virtual immersion monitoring system, if used in a particular exampleof the invention, communicates with one or more wind power optimizersand transducers and grid inverter package modules to visually depictoperation of the wind farm on a VIEW computer display unit. The threedimensional, visually-oriented display environment includes a threedimensional terrain layer of the wind farm. A generic wind turbinegraphic can be used. Depending on the number of turbines, an appropriatenumber of grid inverter packages will be selected, with each turbinehaving an output of approximately 1.5 MW, and each grid inverter packagehaving a power rating of 2.5 megawatt (MW). The visualization of thevirtual immersion monitoring system can be aligned so that the gridinverter packages are in the foreground, and the turbines andconnections to the inverter system are clearly visible. Transformers canbe located next to the inverters outside of a building in which theinverters are located. The visualization of a wind turbine's output canbe a power meter graphic icon with at least real time power output andoptionally historical data in numeric or graphic form layered on thethree dimensional, visually-oriented display environment.

Elements of the virtual immersion system described above for solarenergy systems also apply to a virtual immersion system for wind energysystem unless the element is specifically addressed to a component orfunction uniquely associated with solar energy and not wind energy.

The present invention has been described in terms of preferred examplesand embodiments. Equivalents, alternatives and modifications, aside fromthose expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of theinvention.

1. A renewable energy, utility size electric power system comprising: ahigh voltage, renewable energy harvesting network comprising: aplurality of strings of renewable energy collectors, each of theplurality of strings of renewable energy collectors having a DC output;a plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters, eachof the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmittershaving at least one string power optimizer input connected to the DCoutput of at least one of the plurality of strings of renewable energycollectors, each of the plurality of renewable energy power optimizersand transmitters having a high voltage DC output connected to a DC link;and a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system having a plurality of grid inverter package modules,each of the grid inverter package modules having an input connected tothe DC link.
 2. The renewable energy, utility size electric power systemof claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of strings of renewableenergy collectors comprises a plurality of solar photovoltaic modulesand each of the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers andtransmitters comprises: at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters, the atleast one pair of DC-to-DC converters having a string inverter inputconnected to each of the at least one string power optimizer input and aDC link output connected to the DC link; and a processor for sensing andmonitoring the voltage and current at the string inverter input of eachof the at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters and for controlling eachof the at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters to a maximum powerpoint.
 3. The renewable energy, utility size electric power system ofclaim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of strings of renewable energycollectors comprises a plurality of solar photovoltaic modules and eachof the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitterscomprises: four DC-to-DC converters, the four DC-to-DC converterscomprising a separate first and second pairs of DC-to-DC converters,each of the four DC-to-DC converters having a string inverter inputconnected to each of the at least one string power optimizer input, anda positive and negative rectifier output, the first separate pair ofDC-to-DC converters having the positive rectifier outputs connected inparallel to the DC link, and the second separate pair of DC-to-DCconverters having the negative rectifier outputs connected in parallelto the DC link, the negative rectifier outputs of the first separatepair of DC-to-DC converters and the positive rectifier outputs of thesecond separate pair of DC-to-DC converters connected together commonlyto the DC link; a processor for sensing and monitoring the voltage andcurrent at the string inverter input of each of the four DC-to-DCconverters and for controlling each of the four DC-to-DC converters tothe maximum power point; and a transceiver, the transceiver connected toan antenna for transmitting and receiving of a plurality of highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network data and a plurality ofcentralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system data.
 4. The renewable energy, utility size electricpower system of claim 1 further comprising a central control system, thecentral control system comprising: a means for communicating among theplurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters and theplurality of grid inverter package modules; a means for transmitting andreceiving a plurality of high voltage, renewable energy harvestingnetwork data and a plurality of centralized grid synchronized multiphaseregulated current source inverter system data.
 5. The renewable energy,utility size electric power system of claim 3 wherein each of the fourDC-to-DC converters further comprises a variable frequency controlledresonant inverter having a resonant inverter input connected to thestring inverter input and a resonant inverter output connected to theinput of a rectifier by an isolation transformer, the rectifier havingan output connected to the positive and negative rectifier outputs, andthe processor for controlling each of the four DC-to-DC converters tothe maximum power point by varying the operating frequency of thevariable frequency controlled resonant inverter.
 6. The renewableenergy, utility size electric power system of claim 1 wherein each oneof the plurality of renewable energy collectors comprises a plurality ofwind turbine driven AC generator having a rectified dc output and eachof the plurality of the renewable energy power optimizers andtransmitters comprises: at least one DC-to-DC converter, each of the atleast one DC-to-DC converters having a string inverter input connectedto each of the at least one string power optimizer inputs, and apositive and negative rectifier outputs connected to the DC link; and aprocessor for sensing and monitoring the voltage and current at thestring inverter input of each of the at least one DC-to-DC convertersand for controlling each of the at least one DC-to-DC converters to amaximum power point.
 7. A method of harvesting, converting, monitoringand controlling renewable energy from a utility scale renewable energysystem comprising: a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting networkcomprising: a plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors, eachof the plurality of renewable energy collectors having a DC output; anda centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system having a plurality of grid inverter package modules, themethod comprising the step of optimizing the DC outputs of the pluralityof strings of renewable energy collectors to a maximum power point witha plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmittersdistributed within the high voltage, renewable energy harvestingnetwork, and connecting the outputs of the plurality of renewable energypower optimizers and transmitters to the centralized grid synchronizedmultiphase regulated current source inverter system by a DC link.
 8. Arenewable energy, utility size electric power system comprising: a highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network comprising: a plurality ofstrings of renewable energy collectors, each of the plurality of stringsof renewable energy collectors having a DC output; a plurality ofrenewable energy power optimizers and transmitters, each of theplurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters havingat least one string power optimizer input connected to the DC output ofat least one of the plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors,each of the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers andtransmitters having a high voltage DC output connected to a DC link; acentralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system having a plurality of grid inverter package modules; anda virtual immersion monitoring system and a central control system formonitoring and controlling the high voltage, renewable energy harvestingnetwork and the centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulatedcurrent source inverter system.
 9. The renewable energy, utility sizeelectric power system of claim 8 wherein each one of the plurality ofstrings of renewable energy collectors comprises a plurality of solarphotovoltaic modules and each of the plurality of renewable energy poweroptimizers and transmitters comprises: at least one pair of DC-to-DCconverters, the at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters having a stringinverter input connected to the power optimizer input and a DC linkoutput connected to the DC link; and a processor for sensing andmonitoring the voltage and current at the string inverter input of eachof the at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters and for controlling eachof the at least one pair of DC-to-DC converters to the maximum powerpoint.
 10. The renewable energy, utility size electric power system ofclaim 8 wherein each one of the plurality of strings of renewable energycollectors comprises a plurality of solar photovoltaic modules and eachof the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitterscomprises: four DC-to-DC converters, the four DC-to-DC converterscomprising a separate first and second pairs of DC-to-DC converters,each of the four DC-to-DC converters having a string inverter inputconnected to the power optimizer input, and a positive and negativerectifier output, the first separate pair of DC-to-DC converters havingthe positive rectifier outputs connected in parallel to the DC link, andthe second separate pair of DC-to-DC converters having the negativerectifier outputs connected in parallel to the DC link, the negativerectifier outputs of the first separate pair of DC-to-DC converters andthe positive rectifier outputs of the second separate pair of DC-to-DCconverters connected together commonly to the DC link; a processor forsensing and monitoring the voltage and current at the string inverterinput of each of the four DC-to-DC converters and for controlling eachof the four DC-to-DC converters to the maximum power point; and atransceiver, the transceiver connected to an antenna for transmittingand receiving of a plurality of high voltage, renewable energyharvesting network data and a plurality of centralized grid synchronizedmultiphase regulated current source inverter system data to and from thevirtual immersion monitoring system and the central control system. 11.The renewable energy, utility size electric power system of claim 8wherein the central control system comprises a means for communicatingamong the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers andtransmitters and the plurality of grid inverter package modules; a meansfor transmitting and receiving a plurality of high voltage, renewableenergy harvesting network data and a plurality of centralized gridsynchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system data;and a means for communicating with the virtual immersion monitoringsystem.
 12. The renewable energy, utility size electric power system ofclaim 8 wherein the virtual immersion monitoring system comprises avirtual immersion equipment watchdog computer system for collecting aplurality of high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network data anda plurality of centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulatedcurrent source inverter system data; for visual display of the pluralityof high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network data and theplurality of centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated currentsource inverter system data in a three dimensional, visually-orientedvirtual reality display environment; and for forecasting an electricpower output from the high voltage, renewable energy harvesting networkfor injection into a high voltage electrical grid based on availableirradiation of the plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors.13. The renewable energy, utility size electric power system of claim 10wherein each of the four DC-to-DC converters further comprises avariable frequency controlled resonant inverter having a resonantinverter input connected to the string inverter input and a resonantinverter output connected to the input of a rectifier by an isolationtransformer, the rectifier having an output connected to the positiveand negative rectifier outputs, and the processor for controlling eachof the four DC-to-DC converters to the maximum power point by varyingthe operating frequency of the variable frequency controlled resonantinverter.
 14. The renewable energy, utility size electric power systemof claim 8 wherein each one of the plurality of renewable energycollectors comprises a plurality of wind turbine driven ac generatorhaving a rectified dc output and each of the plurality of the renewableenergy power optimizers and transmitters comprises: at least oneDC-to-DC converter, each of the at least one DC-to-DC converters havinga string inverter input connected to each of the at least one stringpower optimizer inputs, and a positive and negative rectifier outputsconnected to the DC link; and a processor for sensing and monitoring thevoltage and current at the string inverter input of each of the at leastone DC-to-DC converters and for controlling each of the at least oneDC-to-DC converters to the maximum power point.
 15. The renewableenergy, utility size electric power system of claim 14 wherein thevirtual immersion monitoring system comprises a virtual immersionequipment watchdog computer system for collecting a plurality of highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network data and a plurality ofcentralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system data; and for visual display of the plurality of highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network data and the plurality ofcentralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system data in a three dimensional, visually-oriented virtualreality display environment.
 16. The renewable energy, utility sizeelectric power system of claim 12 wherein each of the at least oneDC-to-DC converters further comprises a variable frequency controlledresonant inverter having a resonant inverter input connected to each ofthe at least one string inverter inputs and a resonant inverter outputconnected to the input of a rectifier by an isolation transformer, therectifier having an output connected to the positive and negativerectifier outputs, and the processor for controlling each of the atleast one DC-to-DC converters to the maximum power point by varying theoperating frequency of the variable frequency controlled resonantinverter.
 17. A method of harvesting, converting, monitoring andcontrolling renewable energy from a utility scale renewable energysystem comprising: a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting networkcomprising: a plurality of strings of renewable energy collectors, eachof the plurality of renewable energy collectors having a DC output; anda plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters, eachof the plurality of renewable energy power optimizers and transmittershaving at least one string power optimizer input connected to the DCoutput of at least one of the plurality of strings of renewable energycollectors, each of the plurality of renewable energy power optimizersand transmitters having a high voltage DC output connected to a DC link;and a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system having a plurality of grid inverter package modules; themethod comprising the steps of virtual immersion monitoring of the highvoltage, renewable energy harvesting network in a three dimensional,visually-oriented virtual reality display environment and centrallycontrolling the high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network andthe centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current sourceinverter system in communication with the three dimensional,visually-oriented virtual reality display environment.